The moment Susan Meyer, a national award-winning teacher at Culbreth Middle School, told her Latin class she would have to search for a new job, the room fell silent.
Last week, the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools Board of Education held a meeting to discuss district-wide staffing changes. Several community members and students spoke during public comment to advocate for the Latin and French programs, programs the budget cuts are threatening to eliminate.
For the 2025-26 school year, CHCCS will continue offering all of its current language programs at the same schools, though some language classes may not be available in certain grades due to low enrollment.
The District also announced that by June, 93 positions in the school district will be cut — some of which were already vacant or phased out through retirements, resignations or job transitions. Nine full-time jobs and three part-time jobs will not be renewed, and about six jobs will be cut from each of CHCCS' middle schools. Ten jobs will be cut across the three high schools in the district.
Julia Gordon, an eighth grader at Culbreth Middle School, said she looked forward to Latin class everyday, just as her older sister did before her. She said the classroom was a place where she met her best friends, found joy in learning and felt safe.
Gordon, alongside Ryan Reszka, another eighth grader at CMS launched a petition advocating for the continuation of the language programs. They quickly gathered over 1,000 signatures from supporters, including students, parents and community members, fighting to preserve the courses in the district.
Ella Horrigan, a French and Latin student at Culbreth Middle School, said Meyer had shared with her class that she wanted to work at the school until retirement. Meyer has been working at CMS for over a decade, and is beloved by everyone, Horrigan said. She said Meyer brings fun to the school environment while still making it educational.
Learning both languages is important for understanding the world and its cultures, and the teachers themselves make an irreplaceable impact, Horrigan said.
Last August, the Board approved a Reduction in Force Plan to address a $5.3 million budget deficit caused by declining student enrollment and inflation. The plan includes budget reductions, along with the elimination of office and support positions. The district has seen a financial shortfall as enrollment has dropped by over 1,000 students in the past five years.
